Maintenance cart for aircraft vehicle

ABSTRACT

A maintenance cart for use in an aircraft interior is disclosed. The maintenance cart has a pair of maintenance platforms which are capable of being disposed within the maintenance cart. A linear track mechanism is coupled to the maintenance platform which allows for the deployment of the maintenance platforms within an aircraft. A pair of deployable steps are provided which allow maintenance personnel to move through the maintenance cart to the fore or aft of an aircraft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an aircraftmaintenance cart and, more particularly, to a maintenance cart having acollapsible maintenance platform with a linear track mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With ever increasing demands from airline customers, flexibilityand adaptivity of aircraft interiors is increasingly required in orderto provide an aircraft that meets broader customer needs. Increases inthe number of customers serviced and time spent within an aircraft haveled customers to consistently request electronic devices within anaircraft compartment which allow for activities such as work or play. Assuch, aircraft manufacturers are constantly updating the interiors ofaircraft passenger compartments with new electronic assemblies.Frequently, these electronic assemblies are provided within the ceilingor immediately below the overhead storage compartment of the aircraft.To effectively gain access to these areas without damaging the aircraftinterior, aircraft manufacturers must remove the seats from thepassenger compartments in order to gain access to the modified areas.

[0003] The present invention provides a maintenance cart with storableand foldable work surfaces to facilitate convenient surfaces for use bymaintenance personnel within the aircraft passenger compartment. Themaintenance cart of the present invention provides a pair of platformsfolded and enclosed within the center of the maintenance cart. Themaintenance cart is transportable within the aisle between the passengerseats. In addition, the foldable work surfaces or maintenance platforms,which can be disposed over passenger seats, include a linear trackmechanism for positioning or retracting the work surfaces. Additionally,the maintenance cart can include stairs which allow maintenancepersonnel to pass over and through the maintenance cart during repair ofthe aircraft interior.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, this invention provides a foldable maintenanceplatform for a maintenance cart that overcomes the problems anddisadvantages of the maintenance practices of the prior art. Briefly,the invention includes a maintenance cart for use in an aircraftinterior, a maintenance platform capable of being disposed within themaintenance cart, and a linear track mechanism coupled to themaintenance platform. The linear track mechanism allows the maintenanceplatform to be moved from a stored position within the maintenance cartto a horizontal position over the passenger seats. Upon leaving themaintenance cart, collapsible legs unfold and can be positioned beneaththe maintenance platform to allow for support. Thus, the linear trackmechanism allows the use of a maintenance platform which substantiallyreduces the possibility of damage to the aircraft's passenger seats.

[0005] Further disclosed is a maintenance cart for an aircraft which canbe disposed within the aisle between the passenger seats. Themaintenance cart defines an interior cavity. A foldable maintenanceplatform is coupled to a linear track mechanism which is capable ofbeing slidably received within the central cavity. The linear trackmechanism functions to allow the foldable maintenance platform to bemoved from inside the maintenance cart to a position outside of themaintenance cart.

[0006] Further disclosed is a maintenance cart which includes a pair offoldable maintenance platforms. The maintenance cart defines an interiorcavity which contains a step to allow maintenance workers a safe meansby which to gain access to the maintenance platforms or pass through themaintenance cart to the fore and aft of the aircraft.

[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention,are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The various advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the followingspecification and by reference to the drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the work cart of the presentinvention having the work surfaces in their deployed state;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of the maintenance cart placed within anaircraft's passenger compartment;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an aircraft's passenger compartmentwith the maintenance cart of the present invention disclosed between thepassenger seats;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a close up of the work surface of the present inventionin its stored position;

[0013]FIGS. 5a and 5 b show a partial cross-section of the maintenancecart showing the work surface in a partially deployed state; and

[0014]FIG. 6 is a top view of the maintenance cart of the presentinvention with one of the work surfaces deployed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) ismerely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit theinvention, its application, or uses.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of themaintenance cart assembly 18 of the present invention. The maintenancecart assembly 18 is generally formed of a body 22 having a firstdepending sidewall 24 and second depending sidewall 26. The body 22further has a walking platform 28 and first and second steps 30 and 32.

[0017] Coupled to the first and second sidewall are first and secondmaintenance platforms 34 and 36. First and second maintenance platforms34 and 36 are shown in their deployed positions. The first and secondsidewalls 24 and 26 act as load bearing members for the maintenanceplatforms 34 and 36. They allow maintenance personnel to lay on themaintenance platforms 34 and 36 to gain access to the overhead panels tobe modified. As such, the maintenance platforms 34 and 36 preferably cansupport more than 250 pounds.

[0018] The first and second maintenance platforms 34 and 36 are coupledto the first and second sidewalls 24 and 26 through a first and secondhinge coupling members 38 and 40 and a first and second hinges 42 and44. Additionally, the first and second maintenance platforms 34 and 36are coupled to the first and second hinge coupling members 38 and 40 bya linear track mechanisms 46 and 48. The linear track mechanisms 46 and48, which are preferably U-channel supports, allow the first and secondmaintenance platforms 34 and 36 to be stored vertically within aninterior cavity 50 of the body 22. The maintenance platforms 34 and 36can be alternatively stored vertically adjacent to the first and seconddepending sidewall exterior surfaces 25 and 27.

[0019] Disposed on the lower surface 52 of the first and secondmaintenance platforms 34 and 36 are two pair of depending legs 54. Thedepending legs 54, which are shown in their extending position, addsupport to the first and second maintenance platforms 34 and 36 to allowmaintenance personnel to sit or lie on the first and second maintenanceplatforms 34 and 36.

[0020] Shown in their deployed state are first and second steps 30 and32. The first and second steps which can be stored within the interiorcavity 50 of the body 22 allow maintenance personnel to pass up and overthe maintenance cart walking surface 54 to gain access to the fore oraft of the aircraft 16. As such, the steps 30 and 32 and platform 28must be able to support weights greater than 250 pounds. Further shownis optional stabilizing bar 65 which spans cavity 50 to add stability tothe structure. Disposed on the walking surface 54 is an optional pair oflids 56 and 58 which allow access to a storage compartment 60 disposedbeneath the walkway 54 and within the body 22.

[0021]FIG. 2 discloses the components of the maintenance cart 18 withinan aircraft passenger compartment. The maintenance cart 18 has a numberof portions which are shown in their partially deployed condition. Themaintenance cart 18 has a plurality of locking wheels 62 which allow fortransportation of the maintenance cart within the interior of theaircraft passenger compartment 72.

[0022] Shown is the first step 30 in its deployed position. The secondstep 32 is shown in its stored position. As seen by the phantom line,the second step 32 can be rotated about a hinge 64 disposed between thewalking surface 54 of the body 22 and the second step 32. This defines apassageway through the interior cavity 50 of maintenance cart 18.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a typical passenger compartmentwith the first maintenance platform 18 in its deployed position.Additionally, the first and second steps 30 and 32 have been deployed.As can be seen, the first maintenance platform is disposed over anaircraft seat 66. The first maintenance platform 34 has an upper surface68 having a peripheral flange 70 to prevent tools or fasteners fromslipping off of the first maintenance platform on to the floor of thepassenger compartment 72. As can be seen, the second maintenanceplatform 34 allows for easy access to the undersurface of the overheadstorage compartments 74. It is envisioned that maintenance personnelwould either sit or lie on the upper surface 68 of the first maintenanceplatform 34. The legs 54 are shown in their fully extended position.Disposed between a medial portion 76 of the legs 54 and the interiorperipheral edge 78 of the first maintenance platform 34 is a strutmember 80. The first maintenance platform 34 is supported on itsinterior peripheral side 80 by the first sidewall through the lockingwheel 62 and at its exterior peripheral side 82 by the leg members 54.

[0024]FIG. 4 depicts the second platform 36 in its stored position. Inits stored position, the second maintenance platform 36 is positionedadjacent to the interior wall 84 of the second sidewall 26. As can beseen, the supporting legs 54 and struts 80 are disposed between thelower surface 86 of the second maintenance platform 36 and the interiorwall 84 of the second sidewall 26. Also shown is the second hingecoupling member 40 which is coupled to the second maintenance platform36 by the linear track mechanism 46. The maintenance cart 18 isconfigured so the exterior surface 27 of the depending sidewall 26 doesnot contact the seats 66 when the maintenance cart 18 is beingtransported down the aisle of the aircraft 16.

[0025]FIG. 5 depicts the second maintenance platform 36 in its partiallydeployed position. As can be seen, the second hinge coupling member 40is rotated about second hinge 44. While this rotation occurs, the secondmaintenance platform 36 is slid up out of the cavity 50 within the body22 of the maintenance cart 18. Additionally, shown is the unfolding ofsupport legs 54. It is envisioned that the support legs 54 can either befolding or have telescopic properties to allow for the properpositioning within the passenger compartment 72.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a top view of the aircraft passenger compartment 72having the maintenance cart 18 of the present invention disposed withinthe aisle 88. As can be seen, the second maintenance platform 36 is inits deployed state over the passenger seat 66. Also shown is the firstmaintenance platform 34 in its stored position. During operation, themaintenance personnel will position the maintenance cart 18 in itsproper location within the aircraft passenger compartment 72. Thepersonnel will first rotate the first and second steps 30 and 32 fromtheir stored positions to their deployed positions. This allows theaircraft positions to move from the fore to the aft of the aircraft 16.The maintenance personnel will then deploy the first maintenanceplatform 34 by lifting the first maintenance platform 34 out of itsstowed position and rotating the hinge coupling member 40 about hinge44. At this time, the support legs 54 are deployed and adjusted to theproper height to support the first maintenance platform 34. The optionalstrut members 80 are then positioned to provide proper support.

[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the benefits of having a maintenancecart 18 which allows maintenance personnel to be able to move fore andaft through an aircraft without disturbing the work of maintenancepersonnel who are working on the first or second maintenance platforms34 or 36 is a significant improvement. Typically, the installation ofelectronic components within the undersurface of the overhead storagecompartment 74 is labor and time intensive. As such, the development ofa maintenance cart 18 for use within an aircraft passenger compartment72 that allows the free movement of maintenance personnel within thepassenger compartment 72 represents a significant development inaircraft maintenance which will reduce costs and the time forretrofitting aircraft interiors.

[0028] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in natureand, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A maintenance cart for use in the passenger compartment of an aircraft, said maintenance cart comprising: a base having a pair of depending sidewalls; a first maintenance platform capable of being disposed in a first position substantially parallel to said depending sidewalls; a linear track mechanism coupled to said first maintenance platform, whereby said linear track mechanism is capable of moving said first maintenance platform from said first position to a second position substantially perpendicular to said depending sidewalls.
 2. The maintenance cart of claim 1 wherein said linear track mechanism comprises a U-channel support member, said U-channel supporting at least a portion of said first maintenance platform.
 3. The maintenance cart of claim 2 further comprising a walkway disposed between said depending sidewalls wherein said walkway is capable of supporting a weight greater than about 250 pounds.
 4. The maintenance cart of claim 1 wherein said first maintenance platform comprises an extendable leg coupled to a surface of said first maintenance platform.
 5. The maintenance cart of claim 1 further comprising stairs hingeably coupled to said base, said stairs being capable of being rotated from a first position between the depending sidewalls to a second position.
 6. The maintenance cart of claim 1 wherein said first maintenance platform is coupled to one of said depending sidewalls by a hinge.
 7. The maintenance cart of claim 1 further comprising a second maintenance platform capable of being disposed between said depending sidewalls.
 8. The maintenance cart for an aircraft comprising: a base portion defining a walkway; first and second sidewalls coupled to said base portion; a central cavity defined by said base and sidewalls; and a maintenance platform coupled to a linear track mechanism which is capable of being slidably received within said central cavity.
 9. The maintenance cart of claim 8 wherein said linear track mechanism is disposed within said central cavity.
 10. The maintenance cart of claim 8 wherein said linear track mechanism is coupled to said first sidewall by a hinge.
 11. The maintenance cart of claim 8 wherein the linear track member further comprises a U-channel member, said U-channel member supporting said maintenance platform.
 12. The maintenance cart of claim 8 further comprising a pair of stairs hingeably coupled to the base portion, wherein said stairs are capable of rotation from a first position between said first and second sidewalls to a second position adjacent said base.
 13. The maintenance cart of claim 12 wherein the base defines a storage cavity and comprises at least one lid covering said cavity, said lid defining a portion of said walkway.
 14. A maintenance platform for a maintenance cart comprising: a linear track mechanism for lifting said maintenance platform; a U-channel supporting said maintenance platform, coupled to the maintenance cart.
 15. The maintenance platform of claim 14 further comprising storable legs disposed on a lower surface of the maintenance platform, said legs configured to support said maintenance platform in a horizontal position.
 16. The maintenance platform of claim 14 further comprising a strut member disposed between said leg and said lower surface.
 17. The maintenance platform of claim 14 further comprising a hinge support member coupled to the linear track mechanism, said hinge support member coupled to a hinge which is configured to couple said maintenance platform to the maintenance cart.
 18. The maintenance platform of claim 17 further comprising a constraining ledge.
 19. The maintenance platform of claim 15 wherein said storable legs are configured to support more than 250 pounds.
 20. The maintenance platform of claim 14 wherein said U-channel member is configured to allow the maintenance platform to be disposed within said maintenance cart and further capable of allowing said maintenance platform to be slidably removed from within said maintenance cart. 